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Atlanta Braves End First Half On High Note With Series Win Over Miami Marlins

By Deke Lloyd

NAGOYA, JAPAN - NOVEMBER 15: Outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates after hitting a solo home run in the bottom of 8th inning during the game six between Japan and MLB All Stars at Nagoya Dome on November 15, 2018 in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan. (Photo by Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images)
NAGOYA, JAPAN - NOVEMBER 15: Outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates after hitting a solo home run in the bottom of 8th inning during the game six between Japan and MLB All Stars at Nagoya Dome on November 15, 2018 in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan. (Photo by Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images) /
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The Braves ended the first half of the season on a high note by winning their final series before the All-Star break against the Miami Marlins. Going into the All-Star break, the Braves will have a 6 game lead over the second-place team in the NL East.

The Miami Marlins gave the Braves everything they had over this three-game set. In the first game, the Braves won the game 1-0 in ten innings by the slimmest of margins. Jordan Yamamoto stalled the Braves offense, even holding onto a no-hitter, but only lasted six innings, due partially to the rain delay. Julio Teheran was amazing, once again, and went pitch for pitch with Yamamoto. After the long rain delay, the Braves were able to find a clutch hit from Brian McCann to walk to the game off in the 10th inning.

In the second game, the Braves shot themselves in the foot. Max Fried has been good this season, arguably the Braves best pitcher before Mike Soroka came back into the rotation. However, as of late, Fried has been struggling and Saturday’s game was a struggle for Fried. The Braves offense did their job by providing the run support Fried needed. Fried was not able to hold the 4-2 lead and gave up three runs and the lead in the 5th. The Braves were never able to overcome that deficit.

Sunday was a more up and down day for the Braves. Dallas Keuchel was slated to pitch for the Braves on Sunday, and Keuchel has looked better with each start since joining the Braves. Today’s start was no different. Keuchel went 7.1 innings giving up five hits and two earned runs. The two earned runs were runners left on base when Chad Sobotka was brought in as relief. Sobotka proceeded to give up a three-run home run, charing Keuchel with his two earned runs. Besides the two earned runs, it was another great start from Keuchel. The Braves have seemed to have signed a guy who can make a huge difference going down the line.

The Braves are going into the All-Star break with a six-game lead over the Nationals, and 6.5 over the Phillies. Considered where the Braves started the season, and how this team looked at the star of the season, it’s amazing where they are today. It’s not over, but the Braves have put themselves in a great position going into the second half of the season. This Braves team looks like they were still reaching levels of how good this team can be. I can’t wait for them to get back out there in the second half to keep it rolling.

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